In the next four to six weeks, the World Health Organization is expected to approve Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin. It is India’s only indigenously developed vaccine in use so far, for an emergency use listing. This was stated by Chief scientist Dr. Soumya Swaminathan.
“There is a process to be followed for approval. Companies have to submit their safety data, complete trial data, and even manufacturing quality data for approval. Bharat Biotech has already started submitting the data and the dossier is being assessed.
It is the next vaccine to be reviewed by our committee. There will be a decision on inclusion in the next four to six weeks,” said Dr. Swaminathan during a webinar on vaccine access across the world.
Covaxin has already been approved for emergency use in 16 countries throughout the world. This includes Brazil, Mexico, the Philippines, and Iran.
“The quality of studies was poor so when we put it in meta-analysis they did not suggest any evidence to use Ivermectin. The drug should be used only in clinical trials. There are a lot of medicines being used without evidence,” Swaminathan said.
If granted, the WHO approval will give comfort to Indians and citizens of at least 12 countries where the vaccine is now being administered.
Swaminathan spoke at the event and reviewed recent meta-analysis data on the anti-parasitic medicine Ivermectin as a possible Covid-19 treatment.
